Swann on his first month as USC athletic director...
I think the first month has gone extremely well. I would recommend to anyone who is taking a job at a university to start the job in June or July. It gives you a chance to learn the campus, acclimate and educate yourself before the fall session begins. I continue to learn from the folks who have been here for a number of years about the athletic department. There is a lot to learn from everybody. Athletics is probably the most diverse group on campus with student-athletes from all over the country and the world in our 21 sports, which are all different. Being around them, if you cannot learn, you have a problem.Swann on initial meetings with all the head coaches...
The message that I gave at the press conference when I first took the job is the same message that I gave to them. It is about the student-athletes graduating. The number two priority, because they are students first and athletes second, is pushing them to win. I do not think we will get their best unless they are seeking to be the best. Having a winning attitude, practicing and preparing to win, that's a great foundation for the future. We have won a lot of national championships in our storied history, but I want every sport that has never won a national championship to experience that feeling.
Swann on his first football season as athletic director...
It would be disingenuous as a high school, college and professional football player to say that I am not looking forward to the start of camp, which begins this week, and the opening of football season. The first game that I ever watched as a USC student was against Alabama in 1970. The first game I ever played in was against Alabama in 1971 in the Coliseum. I cannot think of a more fitting opponent for my first game as an athletic director. I want to invite everyone to join us at our annual kickoff event, Salute to Troy, on August 19, to come meet the team and the coaches. And while we are all focused on the opener against Alabama in Texas, we have a loaded schedule this season and I am thrilled by the opportunities it presents. We need our fans to pack the Coliseum for every home game.
Click here for ticket information!
Swann on the Olympic Games...
USC has such a tremendous Olympic tradition. This year, we have 43 Olympians, which is more than any other school. As a fan, the Olympics always get me excited because the athletes get a chance to show that they are the best in the world at something. As a former long jumper and pole vaulter, I will be following the track and field events closely. At USC, I was a great admirer of Bob Seagren, an Olympic gold medalist in the pole vault, and Randy Williams, a gold medalist in the long jump who I like to remind people I beat in high school! I always keep my eye on swimming because Tom McBreen was my college roommate, and he won a bronze medal in 1972. I also covered weight lifting at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles for ABC Sports, so I will check in on the weight lifters too.
Click here to follow #USC2RIO!
Swann on what else he is watching this fall...
I look forward to integrating all the sports outside of football into our collective focus. We have a heavy schedule all year round. I am looking to engage with all the sports that are here, starting with women's volleyball, women's soccer, men's water polo and cross country in the fall. I want them all to do well, and I want them to know that they will all get great support here at USC. It is important for me as the athletic director to be present and show them that we are enthusiastic about everything that we do.
